Traffic through UK ports was up eight per cent on last year in the third quarter, according to latest figures from the Department for Transport.
Inward and outward traffic tonnages both rose: inward by ten per cent and outward by five per cent.
The number of units handled rose by two per cent compared with the same quarter in 2009. Inward traffic and outward traffic both rose, by three and one per cent respectively, compared to 2009.
The effects of the recession can still be seen in the year to date fgures. Total port traffic (tonnage) for the year to Q3 2010 was one per cent down on the four quarters ending Q3 2009.
Inward traffic was down 1.8 per cent and outward traffic up 0.2 per cent.
